Poem #434
English Translation
Persian
O heart, be not a moment void of love and drunken bliss,
Then go! For you are freed from both That world and from This.
ای دل مباش یک دم خالی ز عشق و مستی
وان گه برو که رستی از نیستی و هستی
If you perceive the Soul at work within the body's frame,
Turn there! Any Qibla is better than self-worship's shame.
گر جان به تن ببینی مشغول کار او شو
هر قبله‌ای که بینی بهتر ز خودپرستی
Be pleasant like the gentle breeze, though weak you may appear,
For sickness in this Path is more than health held dear.
با ضعف و ناتوانی همچون نسیم خوش باش
بیماری اندر این ره بهتر ز تندرستی
In Love's religion, to be raw is faithlessness and sin,
The path of Fortune belongs to those who strive and win.
در مذهب طریقت خامی نشان کفر است
آری طریق دولت چالاکی است و چستی
While you see only intellect, you sit in ignorance deep,
One point I tell you: see not Self, and freedom you shall reap.
تا فضل و عقل بینی بی‌معرفت نشینی
یک نکته‌ات بگویم خود را مبین که رستی
Upon the threshold of the Friend, think not of heaven's height,
Lest from your pride you fall to earth in sorrow and in blight.
در آستان جانان از آسمان میندیش
کز اوج سربلندی افتی به خاک پستی
Though thorns may wound, the rose's bloom makes every pain seem light,
The bitterness of wine is sweet when drunkenness comes bright.
خار ار چه جان بکاهد گل عذر آن بخواهد
سهل است تلخی می در جنب ذوق مستی
O cup-measuring Sufi! Hafez, shun the jug and bowl!
O short-sleeved ones, how long will greed stretch out its hand and soul?
صوفی پیاله پیما حافظ قرابه پرهیز
ای کوته‌آستینان تا کی درازدستی؟
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses mysticism and wisdom. The verse about 'sickness in this path being better than health' and 'weakness and inability being pleasant like the breeze' is a powerful statement. The observation that 'in the religion of the path, rawness is a sign of infidelity' and 'the path of fortune is agility and quickness' is a profound statement. The poem's combination of mysticism and wisdom makes it very engaging.
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